Written by: TJ Inman

Indiana’s passing attack was nowhere near good enough in 2023. The lack of consistency and explosiveness in the pass game was one of the many issues Indiana had a season ago and IU’s new coaching staff knew a lot of change was needed on that side of the ball. Hoosier fans are hoping the 2024 attack is unrecognizable as the wide receiver room was addressed in the transfer portal and a new offensive system has been installed by offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and head coach Curt Cignetti.

Wide receiver has gone from a big question mark to what is, on paper, a real strength for the Hoosiers. Indiana can favorably matchup their group of wide receivers with anyone’s in the Big Ten outside of Columbus (Ohio State) and it’s not insane to claim Indiana has a top three wide receiver room in the conference. The Hoosiers will likely be in three or four-wide receiver sets in most situations this season and there will definitely be times where Shanahan deploys five wide receivers and an empty backfield. There are a lot of names to cover so let’s dive into the personnel.

Expected Starters (3 WR/1 TE/1 RB base)

-Elijah Sarratt - #13 – Junior – 6’2”/209 pounds – transfer from James Madison

Fans that have not paid attention for most of the offseason might be surprised to read this but the following bold statement is not hyperbole: Elijah Sarratt, a transfer addition from James Madison, is one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten. He began his career at Saint Francis and then moved to James Madison for the 2023 season. After beginning the season as a backup, he quickly moved into the starting lineup and earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors. Sarratt had 1,191 yards receiving on 82 receptions and he kept improving all year. He was graded as one of the top transfer prospects nationally but there was never any doubt in his mind about who he wanted to play for. He believes in Mike Shanahan and Curt Cignetti and chose to follow the duo to Bloomington. Sarratt is not a blazer but he has enough speed to hurt teams over the top if the safety cheats up. His greatest skills are short-burst quickness that allows him to excel as a route-runner and elite hands. His catch rate is extremely high. Sarratt may not replicate 2023’s production but he will be a top-target in the IU offense.

-Donaven McCulley - #1 – Senior – 6’5”/203 pounds

Donaven McCulley is senior from Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. He originally came to Indiana as a quarterback but switched to wide receiver prior to the 2022 season. McCulley was Indiana’s leading receiver in 2023 with 48 receptions for 644 yards and six touchdowns. There was a real chance he would leave Bloomington in the transfer portal but he was convinced to play in Mike Shanahan’s offense and stayed at IU for his senior season. McCulley is 6’5” and more than 200 pounds making him a real challenge for smaller defensive backs on the outside. Improving his consistency from day-to-day has been a theme for Curt Cignetti during the offseason. McCulley is probably IU’s most talented wide receiver and they are counting on him to fulfill his potential. This will be, by far, the most WR-friendly system Donaven McCulley has been in during his time at Indiana but there are more talented weapons around him so his numbers might not make a huge jump. His size and athleticism make him a major threat in the red zone and on jump balls down the sideline. McCulley and Sarratt are the best one-two punch on the outside that IU has had in a very long time.

-Myles Price - #4 – Redshirt Senior – 5’9”/183 pounds – transfer from Texas Tech

In most years, Myles Price would be considered IU’s top target. Just look at his credentials: the transfer from Texas Tech led the Red Raiders in receptions in both 2022 and 2023 and he had back-to-back seasons on the Honorable Mention All-Big 12 team. He was a regular starter and top option for a consistent bowl program. Price entered the transfer portal for his final season and he is a perfect option for the Hoosiers as a versatile slot weapon. Price is only 5’9” but he is incredibly quick and shifty, also serving as a punt returner in Lubbock. He figures to begin as IU’s third receiver and starting slot wideout. The biggest key for Price this season might be health. He missed two games due to injury in 2022 and another pair of games in 2023 due to a different injury.

Main Rotation Options

These players might not start but they will likely all see snaps. Some of them will probably see nearly as much as the starting wide receivers given how often IU will go four-wide.

-E.J. Williams Jr. - #7 – Redshirt Senior – 6’4”/203 pounds

The second biggest wide receiver on IU’s roster is Clemson transfer E.J. Williams. The 6’4” Williams came to IU prior to the 2023 season and played eight games with three starts. He struggles with injuries and posted only 23 receptions for 281 yards. The biggest disappointment for Williams was likely the lack a single touchdown but that can largely attributed to poor quarterback play and a general lack of opportunities presented to him by IU’s 2023 offense. The injuries are a real concern as it was a carryover from his time at Clemson. He missed weeks three through six last season and did not appear fully up to speed until the season-finale against Purdue where he posted his best game: six catches for 97 yards. Williams should be a big-time possession target on a major threat in the red zone with his size and he could be a really good second outside receiver on sets that have Sarratt move to the slot or on downs that Sarratt or McCulley have rotated out.

As many coaches (including Curt Cignetti) have said, “the best ability is availability” and that certainly applies in a crowded receiver room with guys jostling for snaps.

-Ke’Shawn Williams - #5 – Redshirt Senior – 5’9”/189 pounds – transfer from Wake Forest

Ke’Shawn Williams is another versatile chess piece for the IU coaching staff. The transfer from Wake Forest is likely to begin the season as the backup slot receiver behind Myles Price and his addition is one that really improves the depth of this IU attack. Despite awful quarterback play in 2023, Ke’Shawn Williams put up 38 catches for 384 yards and he served as the team’s primary kick returner. Turning back the clock to the 2022 season, which had Sam Hartman at quarterback for Wake Forest, paints a much rosier picture. Williams had 553 yards on 39 catches and totaled 404 yards on just 27 catches in 2021. Those numbers show a truly explosive player with the ball in his hands. Williams has speed to burn and should factor in as a gadget player, slot receiver and returner for Indiana in 2024.

-Omar Cooper - #3 – Redshirt Sophomore – 6’0”/201 pounds

A player with Omar Cooper’s potential being a clear backup is another indicator of just how deep Indiana’s receiver room is. Cooper has the speed to stretch opposing defenses and he has proven that he can be very productive when given the chance. In 2023, as a redshirt freshman, Omar Cooper had seven receptions for 101 yards against Indiana State, 35 yards against Maryland, 52 yards and a touchdown against Penn State and a touchdown against Rutgers. Without the talent added in the transfer portal, Cooper would be on a lot of lists as a breakout candidate this season. As is, he should see time in the rotation with the potential to earn a good number of snaps. He’ll need to continue to improve as he could very well be an expected starter in 2025.

-Andison Coby - #0 – Redshirt Senior – 6’1”/178 pounds

Andison Coby was an afterthought heading into the spring. The former Tennessee Volunteer struggled with inconsistency and drops during the 2023 season and he only ended up with five catches during the entirety of the season. Coby was clearly quick but he didn’t see much time in 2023 and the position was much heavier stocked with talent heading into 2024. Then spring football happened and Andison Coby was one of the standout players in the spring game. He made a number of catches and turned those catches into big plays with the ball in his hands. Earning a lot of playing time is still going to be an uphill battle but Coby definitely caught some eyes with his play during the spring and gave himself a real chance to be in the rotation.

-Miles Cross - #19 – Senior – 5’11”/210 pounds – transfer from Ohio University

The player with the most experience with IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke is a fellow transfer from Ohio University: senior Miles Cross. The 5’11” player originally from Rock Hill High School in South Carolina had 47 receptions for 617 yards in 2023 and was a reliable weapon for Rourke. The two made the move to Bloomington and that connection could pay dividends. Of course, a prior relationship alone doesn’t get you on the field in the Big Ten. Cross is a dependable veteran that has produced in college for multiple seasons. Players like E.J. Williams, Omar Cooper or Andison Coby might be more talented but they don’t have that experience AND production in their corner. Being a part of the rotation means the coaches have to trust you and Cross’ prior production might earn him that trust. He can play on the inside or outside and should be a reliable option if called upon.

Expected to Redshirt

-Charlie Becker - #80 – Freshman – 6’4”/204 pounds – Nashville, TN

In most cases, Charlie Becker would have the profile of a player that could be a labeled a “sleeper breakout candidate”. He was a productive high school recruit at Father Ryan High School in Nashville and chose IU over an offer from hometown Vanderbilt. He is already 6’4” and more than 200 pounds and his frame looks like he could compete right away in the Big Ten. The freshman position is one that true freshman are typically very capable of being able to produce in some capacity early in their collegiate careers. However, IU won’t need to force Becker into the lineup before he is fully ready. Indiana is incredibly deep at wide receiver and Becker will likely only get four games and then preserve a redshirt season. With all of the expected departures of seniors after this season, Becker will probably be relied upon in 2025.

Walk-ons

Derin McCulley, Jackson Wasserstrom, Brady Simmons, Eli Jochem and Camden Jordan are all walk-ons that will likely see only special teams action in 2024.

Rotation Prediction (with a base offense of three wide receivers):
WR1 – Elijah Sarratt, Donaven McCulley, Myles Price

WR2 – Omar Cooper, E.J. Williams, Ke’Shawn Williams

WR3 – Andison Coby, Miles Cross

Hoosier Huddle will have ongoing season preview content as we continue to churn towards the 2024 season!

The Huddle

2024 Indiana Football Position Preview: Wide Receiver Corps is Deep as New Faces Arrive

Expected Starters (3 WR/1 TE/1 RB base)

Main Rotation Options

Expected to Redshirt

Hoosier Huddle